Definition

Noun: - Lifetime, during one's life: Refers to the period when a person was alive. It is used to talk about events, characteristics, or situations that existed or occurred while that person was living.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Sinh thời, ông ấy là một bác sĩ tận tụy. (During his lifetime, he was a dedicated doctor.)
  • Những tác phẩm sinh thời của nhà soạn nhạc này rất nổi tiếng. (The works from this composer's lifetime are very famous.)
  • Tính tình sinh thời của bà rất hiền hậu. (Her disposition during her life was very gentle.)

Advanced Usage

• This word is formal and is typically used in written or formal spoken contexts, such as in biographies, historical accounts, or eulogies, to refer to the period when the subject was alive.
• It often precedes a statement about the person's life or achievements.
  • Sinh thời, nhà vua đã ban hành nhiều chính sách cải cách. (During his reign/lifetime, the king enacted many reform policies.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sinh thì (noun): An older, synonymous term with the same meaning as "sinh thời" (during one's life). It is now less commonly used.
• Khi còn sống: A more common, conversational phrase meaning "when (he/she/they) was/were still alive."
• Suốt đời: (Adverbial phrase) Throughout one's life.

Synonyms

• Lúc còn sống: When (someone) was alive.
• Trong đời: In one's life.
• Khi sinh tiền: (Literary) While living.

Notes on Meaning

• "Sinh thời" specifically refers to the time span when a particular person was alive. It does not describe the general concept of a "lifetime" as a measure of time (for which "cả đời" or "suốt cuộc đời" is used).
• It is not used for inanimate objects or abstract concepts.

noun

1. lifetime